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Acting BA (Hons) – 2020 entry

Why choose this course

Our BA Acting course achieved 100 per cent overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2018. We are also ranked top five for drama and dance in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Training to become an actor is an intensive process which requires curiosity, courage and commitment. At Guildford School of Acting, we’ll help you develop your imagination, range, skills and technique. You’ll learn how to prepare for rehearsal, how to rehearse and how to use independent and proactive processes to achieve your best work possible for stage and screen.

What you will study

Drawing on the teaching and practices of Stanislavsky and Lecoq, our BA Acting course will develop your technical skills – from singing to stage combat. You’ll learn important critical and evaluative skills, and develop your imagination through play, improvisation and scene work. You’ll also take screen acting classes and complete film and radio projects that allow you to explore the processes needed in today’s recorded media.

You’ll attend classes and workshops with guest speakers to develop your professional network and employment opportunities. As you come to the end of your course, you’ll complete your transition to professional performer with a final showcase presentation in a West End theatre with invited agents and industry guests.

Careers and graduate prospects

Our graduates have an unrivalled employment record in West End shows and national tours. Our very distinguished alumni include performers such as:

Brenda Blethyn OBE

Oliver James

Bill Nighy

Owen Teale

Celia Imrie

Jonjo O’Neill

Kobner Holbrook­-Smith

Billy Carter

Ian Kelsey

Rob Kazinsky

Chris Geere

Claire Cooper

Justin Fletcher MBE.

Our alumni have performed in the following theatre productions on the West End, in film and in television:

Theatre

Girl from the North Country, Noel Coward Theatre

The Effect, The Royal National Theatre

Richard III, The Royal Shakespeare Company

Warhorse, New London Theatre

Strangers on a Train, Gielgud Theatre

Chariots of Fire, Gielgud and Hampstead Theatres

The Rivals, Theatre Royal, Haymarket

The Mousetrap, St Martin’s Theatre

The Tempest, The Old Vic

The 39 Steps, Criterion Theatre

The Favourite, Fox Searchlight.

Film

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Working Title

Calendar Girls, Buena Vista Productions

Defiance, Paramount Pictures

Nanny McPhee, Universal Pictures

Pacific Rim, Warner Bros

Red Tails, 20th Century Fox

What a Girl Wants, Warner Brothers

Saving Grace, 20th Century Fox

The Prince & Me: Elephant Adventure, First Look Studios

The Prince & Me 4: Royal Adventures in Paradise, First Look Studios

Love Actually, Universal Pictures

28 Days Later, 20th Century Fox.

Television

Vera, ITV

Death In Paradise, BBC

Waterloo Road, BBC

Death Comes to Pemberley, BBC

The Great Train Robbery

A Copper’s Tale, BBC

Doctor Who ­"Day of the Doctor", BBC

My Mad Fat Diary, E4

Game of Thrones, HBO

The Café, Sky 1

Holby City, BBC

Casualty, BBC

Doctors, BBC

Silk, BBC

Midsomer Murders, ITV

Stella, Sky 1

Call the Midwife, BBC

Fresh Meat, E4

True Blood, HBO

Hollyoaks, Channel 4

Trollied, Sky 1

The Crown, Netflix.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.

Academic year structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

Please note: If there is an optional Professional Training placement as part of your course, you can view the full module listing for this on the relevant programme specification.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).

Teaching

Research students will sometimes help to deliver your modules. These students will be researching in a similar subject to the module, and will have undertaken training prior to being invited to teach. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.

Staff

Programme leader

Personal tutor

All taught students are assigned a personal tutor before beginning a programme of study. Personal tutors offer support and advice to students in the areas of:

Academic progress

Pastoral/welfare issues

Personal/professional development and employability.

Assessment

Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Learning and disability support

We have two services, Academic Skills and Development and the Disability and Neurodiversity Service which can help develop your learning.

Academic Skills and Development

Academic Skills and Development is a learning space in the Library where our learning development team is based. It comprises dedicated Student Learning Advisers and Information Skills Librarians who can help you develop your academic and research skills, including writing, presenting, revision and critical thinking.

Disability and Neurodiversity Service

The University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Service supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning differences (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia) and other neurodiverse conditions (including autism spectrum and attention deficit disorder).

If you tell us about any conditions and register with us, we can give you appropriate support during your studies.

We can arrange exam and learning support adjustments, give advice on applications for the Disabled Students' Allowance, and test you for dyslexia and dyspraxia. We can also offer regular study skills and mentoring support.

English language support

Our English Language Support Programme (ELSP) provides tailored English language support during your studies. It is particularly valuable to students who speak English as a second or additional language, but native speakers are also welcome.

What qualifications do you need?

A-level

Overall: CCC.

Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma

Overall: MMM.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

International Baccalaureate

Overall: 30.

GCSE or equivalent: English HL4/SL4 and either Maths HL4/SL4 or Maths Studies HL4/SL4.

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

European Baccalaureate

Overall: 68%

GCSE or equivalent: Maths 6 and either English Language (1/2) 6 or English Language (3)7.

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

Select your country

English language requirements

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.

Selection process

We make offers in terms of grades after a successful audition and interview.

If you can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of your ability to successfully complete the course, you may be considered for a place irrespective of your academic background.

Please note: A non-­refundable audition fee is usually charged. Further information can be found on the GSA website.

Recognition of prior learning

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.

UK-based activity: £150 - Theatre trips (students should aim to see some live theatre throughout the course of their programme)

Grand total: £515-700 approximately.

Optional expenses

In final year, students may wish to apply for Spotlight (including graduates casting list) and Equity membership - £350 approximately. During the course of their programme, they may also wish to join the GSA Students' Union Society - £5 per annum.

These additional costs are accurate as of September 2018 and apply to the 2019 year of entry. Costs for 2020 entry will be published in September 2019.

How to apply

Learn how to apply for an undergraduate course, see details about the UCAS application process and determine the steps you need to take if you receive an offer to study.

Admissions information

Our undergraduate admissions policyprovides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students.